Wiki Office visit prior a screening colonoscopy

[Britteo]

Our office (GI Specialist) as a standard has always had PTs that are anemic, diabetic, on blood thinners or that have had heart or kidney surgeries come in for an office visit prior to scheduling a procedure.

Is it ok for us to be billing the OV seperately? Or should this be included in the global.

Thank you

 

[kathleenjean84]

Office Visits

Well, it is ok to bill the visit but it gets down to intent of the visit. The primary diagnosis would be ok for anemia, but, evaluation for blood thinners would end up being I believe a V-code which would not be a covered diagnosis.

The global for a colonoscopy is not a consideration with most payers for office or outpatient setting e/m visits prior to the procedure.

Hope this is helpful.

Kathleen J. Wolfe, CPC

 

[mitchellde]

FYI -The code for evaluation of blood thinners is V58.83 and the V58.61 secondary. I have never had a problem with this being covered. The V58.61 however is a secondary only allowed code and would not be paid if listed first.
As far the office visit prior to the colonoscopy - If the colonoscopy is prior scheduled then the generally accepted practice is that you can not charge an office visit prior to the colonoscopy unless there is a new complaint or change in status.